diary

Masterclass with Kathryn Stott

On 4 May 2017, fellow University of Auckland piano students Modi Deng, Siyu Sun and I performed in a masterclass with eminent UK pianist, Kathryn Stott. Thankyou to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Chamber Music New Zealand for this wonderful opportunity.

AYO / Musica Viva Chamber Players 2017

From 14-24 April 2017, I participated in Australian Youth Orchestra’s Chamber Players programme, integrated into the Musica Viva Festival, at the Conservatorium in Sydney. Together with violinist Rachael Kwa and cellist Liam Meany, we rehearsed and performed movements from piano trios by Haydn, Dvorak and Australian composer, Ross Edwards. It was an honour to be coached by Swedish violinist, Roger Jonsson, concertmaster of Orchestra Victoria.

A Tedious Brief Scene – Bottom’s Dance, by Leonie Holmes

On 7 April 2017, together with pianists Stephen De Pledge, Modi Deng and Siyu Sun, we performed a work for two pianos, eight hands by New Zealand Composer Leonie Holmes in a Gala Concert celebrating the launch of the new Graf Fortepiano at the University of Auckland’s School of Music.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – Concerts at St Luke’s Church

During the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Maree was involved in several lunchtime concerts at St Luke’s Anglican Church, corner of Ruthven and Herries Streets. This included a solo piano recital of Bach, Haydn, Rachmaninov and Kats-Chernin on Friday 16 September 2016, and a performance in collaboration with local violist, Elizabeth Lawrence, on Tuesday 20th September 2016.

In late July/early August 2016 I had the privilege of participating in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s Advanced Winterschool. This was a fabulous experience – some highlights for me were pianist Sa Chen’s incredible and compelling performances, page-turning for artistic director Piers Lane and Irish pianist Finghin Collins’ sparkling and brilliant performance of Dave Brubeck’s Points on Jazz, and coachings and masterclasses with musicians from all over Australia and the world. I would like to thank my chamber music colleagues Clementine Isaacson (violin) and Nicholas Kennedy (cello) for our collaborations during the week up there.

Arabesque Trio at Taabinga Homestead 19 June 2016

On Sunday afternoon, 19 June 2016, the Arabesque Trio (Nicola Hayden, flute; Elizabeth Lawrence, viola, and Maree Kilpatrick, piano) performed at the beautiful Taabinga Homestead in the South Burnett. The programme featured works by CPE Bach, Vaughan Williams, Martinu, Ibert and others. It was a wonderful afternoon, with an enthusiastic and welcoming audience, and Taabinga Homestead upholding its reputation for hospitality with a lovely afternoon tea following the concert.

In June 2016, I performed on keyboards within the orchestra for Toowoomba Choral Society’s production of ‘Into The Woods’, with a number of sold-out performances in the Empire Theatre’s Heritage Auditorium.

Adam Summer School, February 2016

In February 2016 I had the privilege of participating in the Adam Summer School in Nelson, New Zealand, performing Beethoven’s first piano trio with young NZ musicians Grace McKenzie (violin) and Jordan Renaud (cello). Thank you to the New Zealand String Quartet and Diedre Irons for the fantastic coachings, and to my fellow students for making it a fun and memorable week!